Scan barcode
A review by rachelcdm
Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang
4.0
I read this book for uni and my godddd it is a hard slog.
But a slog well worth the effort.
There are many tales that are recognisable in ‘Arabian Nights’ (Aladdin and Sinbad spring to mind.) But there are others here that are possibly more enchanting, such as the tale of the three Calendars which contains a multitude of stories on its own.
This collection is unique for so many reasons. For a start, it’s a translation of a translation of oral tales, which makes its origins and authenticity difficult to trace. Are these tales westernised? Have they been recounted properly? Impossible to tell.
The biggest allure for me though, is the theme of stories. Sharzhad is not only telling stories to save her life, but she’s telling stories to alter another’s. The sultan, through Sharzhad’s stories, learns empathy and becomes a better person. The tales is ultimately a testament to the power of stories and their ability to shape us, and that is a power that transcends cultures.
But a slog well worth the effort.
There are many tales that are recognisable in ‘Arabian Nights’ (Aladdin and Sinbad spring to mind.) But there are others here that are possibly more enchanting, such as the tale of the three Calendars which contains a multitude of stories on its own.
This collection is unique for so many reasons. For a start, it’s a translation of a translation of oral tales, which makes its origins and authenticity difficult to trace. Are these tales westernised? Have they been recounted properly? Impossible to tell.
The biggest allure for me though, is the theme of stories. Sharzhad is not only telling stories to save her life, but she’s telling stories to alter another’s. The sultan, through Sharzhad’s stories, learns empathy and becomes a better person. The tales is ultimately a testament to the power of stories and their ability to shape us, and that is a power that transcends cultures.